Manila Aviation Safety Improvement Recognized

Manila Bulletin
December 11, 2012

The European Commission (EC) has recognized the efforts of the safety oversight authority of the Philippines in reforming the civil aviation system and improve safety guarantee that international safety standards are effectively and consistently applied.

The EC is ready to provide active further support for these reforms in cooperation with International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), EU member-states and the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) in order to help some countries to get off the list of carriers banned from operating in the European Union.

The EC has committed to supporting better compliance with international safety standards whenever possible and has mandated EASA to carry out a series of technical assistance missions to support the competent authorities of a number of states in their efforts to enhance safety.

It has adopted the 20th update of the European list of air carriers which are subject to an operating ban or operational restrictions within the European Union, better known as "the EU air safety list."

Because of important safety concerns, air carriers certified in Eritrea have been added to the list.

On the other hand, following improvement in the safety situation in Mauritania , it was possible to remove from the list all air carriers certified in Mauritania .

The same was true for the Jordan carrier Jordan Aviation, which was also removed from the list. Progress was also noted in Libya but the Libyan authorities agreed that Libyan carriers would not be permitted to operate to Europe until they are fully recertified to the satisfaction of the EC.

EC vice president Siim Kallas, responsible for transport, said: "The Commission is ready to spare no effort to assist countries affected by the safety list in building technical and administrative capacity to overcome the difficulties in the area of safety as quickly and as efficiently as possible."

"I am glad that one country and several airlines have been removed from the list. This is important progress. But safety must always come first and we cannot accept any compromise in this area, hence the decision on Eritrea."